This is a list of all the major variations of the Machin series of postage stamps in the United Kingdom. The complete list of all variations is vast and outside the scope of this encyclopedia.

Note: the colours and the colour descriptions are to be used to give an idea only, as each catalogue and website will name the colours differently.

Pre-decimal issues

The first Machins were issued in 1967 and were in use until the UK changed to a decimal currency in 1971. These Machins came in two sizes, with the four higher value stamps being the largest.

1967–1969 pre-decimal series
Value Colour Size Issued Demonetised Notes
½d Orange brown 21 mm × 24 mm
(0.83 in × 0.94 in)		 5 Feb 1968[1] 29 Feb 1972[2]
1d Olive
2d Lake brown
3d Violet 8 Aug 1967[3]
4d Sepia 5 Jun 1967[4] 2nd Class basic rate from 16 September 1968 to 14 February 1971.[5]
4d Bright vermillion 6 Jan 1969[6]
5d Blue 1 Jul 1968[7] 1st Class basic rate from 16 September 1968 to 14 February 1971.[5]
6d Purple 5 Feb 1968[1]
7d Emerald 1 July 1968[7] The 7d, 8d and 9d stamps had the value indicator behind the bust.[8]
8d Vermillion
8d Light turquoise blue 6 Jan 1969[6]
9d Dark green 8 Aug 1967[3]
10d Drab 1 Jul 1968[7] The background of the 10d and 1/- stamps had a gradient.
1/- Pale violet 5 Jun 1967[4]
1/6 Blue and deep blue 8 Aug 1967[3]
1/9 Orange and black 5 Jun 1967[4]
2/6 Peat brown 30 mm × 35 mm
(1.2 in × 1.4 in)		 5 Mar 1969[9] 29 Feb 1972[2]
5/- Raspberry red
10/- Sapphire blue
£1 Blue/black 31 Jul 2023[10] Upon demonetisation, the £1 blue/black will be the oldest-circulating Machin stamp, at 54 years and 148 days.

Decimal issues

Machins continued being issued after Britain's change to decimalisation, and were produced until the end of the queen's reign. During the 1970s and 1980s, Royal Mail issued 12 Machins in a larger format. Other major variations include:

Elliptical perforation: In 1993 Royal Mail started issuing Machins with two large elliptical perforations, one on either side, as a security feature. Some Machins have both standard and elliptical perfs, but those issued after 1993 only have the ellipticals.
EME Images: In 1997 a new profile of the Queen was used on Machins. EME (or electro-mechanically engraved) images are created by computer and therefore offer better detail in the image.
Regional issues: These Machins were issued with a heraldic symbol in the top left-hand corner. These represent the Isle of Man with the Three Legs of Man symbol; Northern Ireland with the Red Hand of Ulster symbol; Scotland with the Lion of Scotland symbol and Wales with the Welsh Dragon symbol.

Small size (21 mm × 24 mm (0.83 in × 0.94 in))

Value and colourDate 1st issueElliptical perf.EME imageRegional issue
1⁄2p turquoise15 Feb 1971   
1p crimson15 Feb 19718 Jun 19931 Apr 1997 
1+1⁄2p charcoal grey15 Feb 1971   
2p deep grey-green15 Feb 197111 Apr 199527 May 1997 
2+1⁄2p pale magenta15 Feb 1971  7 Jul 1971 Isle of Man Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
2+1⁄2p rose madder14 Jan 1981   
3p ultramarine15 Feb 1971  7 Jul 1971 Isle of Man Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
3p rose red22 Oct 1980   
3p shocking pink10 Oct 1989   
3+1⁄2p grey green15 Feb 1971  23 Jan 1974 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
3+1⁄2p purple-brown30 Mar 1983   
4p rust brown15 Feb 1971   
4p turquoise30 Jan 1980   
4p cobalt blue26 Jan 198814 Dec 199327 May 1997 
4+1⁄2p blue-grey24 Oct 1973   
4+1⁄2p steel blue6 Nov 1974  6 Nov 1974 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
5p grey-violet15 Feb 1971  7 Jul 1971 Isle of Man Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
5p greyish rose27 Jan 1982   
5p ash pink (red-brown)26 Jul 19888 Jun 199327 May 1997 
5+1⁄2p deep violet24 Oct 1973  23 Jan 1974 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
6p pastel green15 Feb 1971   
6p lime green10 Sep 199127 Apr 19931 Apr 1997 
6+1⁄2p cerulean blue4 Sep 1974  14 Jan 1976 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
7p reddish brown15 Jan 1975  18 Jan 1978 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
7p brick red29 Oct 1985   
7p light grey 20 Apr 1999  
7p shocking pink 1 Apr 2004  
7+1⁄2p pale chestnut15 Feb 1971  7 Jul 1971 Isle of Man Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
8p blood red24 Oct 1973  23 Jan 1974 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
8p old gold 25 Apr 2000  
8+1⁄2p apple green24 Sep 1975  14 Jan 1976 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
9p orange & black15 Feb 1971   
9p bluish violet25 Feb 1976  18 Jan 1978 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
9p orange 5 Apr 20051 Apr 2008 
9+1⁄2p deep lilac25 Feb 1976   
10p terracotta & orange-brown11 Aug 1971   
10p grey-orange25 Feb 1976  20 Oct 1976 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
10p light tan4 Sep 19908 Jun 199327 May 1997 
10+1⁄2p light yellow25 Feb 1976   
10+1⁄2p greyish blue26 Apr 1978  18 Jan 1978 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
11p pastel red25 Feb 1976  20 Oct 1976 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
11+1⁄2p rust brown15 Aug 1979   
11+1⁄2p mushroom14 Jan 1981  8 Apr 1981 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
12p yellow-green30 Jan 1980  23 Jul 1980 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
12p emerald green29 Oct 1985  7 Jan 1986 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
12p dark turquoise 1 Aug 2006  
12+1⁄2p pastel green27 Jan 1982  24 Feb 1982 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
13p grey green15 Aug 1979   
13p light brown28 Aug 1984  23 Oct 1984 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
13+1⁄2p red brown30 Jan 1980  23 Jul 1980 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
14p greyish blue14 Jan 1981  8 Apr 1981 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
14p dark blue23 Aug 1988  8 Nov 1988 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
14p salmon pink 1 Aug 2006  
15p ultramarine15 Aug 1979  23 Jul 1980 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
15p light blue26 Sep 1989  28 Nov 1989 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
15p shocking pink 1 Apr 20081 Apr 2008 
15+1⁄2p light violet14 Jan 1981  24 Feb 1982 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
16p light mushroom30 Mar 1983  27 Apr 1983 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
16p pink 27 Mar 2007  
16+1⁄2p light brown27 Jan 1982   
17p pastel green30 Jan 1980   
17p greyish blue30 Mar 1983  23 Oct 1984 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
17p dark blue4 Sep 1990  4 Dec 1990 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
17p olive green 31 Mar 2009  
17+1⁄2p chestnut brown30 Jan 1980   
18p bluish violet14 Jan 1981  8 Apr 1981 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
18p grey green28 Aug 1984  6 Jan 1987 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
18p light green10 Sep 1991  3 Dec 1991 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
19p flame23 Aug 1988  8 Nov 1988 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
19p olive green 26 Oct 199320 Apr 19997 Dec 1993 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
19+1⁄2p pale olive grey27 Jan 1982  24 Feb 1982 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
20p purple-grey25 Feb 1976   
20p sea green23 Aug 19887 Dec 1993  
20p black26 Sep 1989  28 Nov 1989 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
20p light green 25 Jun 199629 Apr 199723 Jul 1996 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales[11][12]
20+1⁄2p ultramarine30 Mar 1983  27 Apr 1983 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
22p deep blue22 Oct 1980  8 Apr 1981 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
22p moss green28 Aug 1984  23 Oct 1984 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
22p flame4 Sep 1990  4 Dec 1990 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
22p stone 31 Mar 2009  
23p pastel red30 Mar 1983   
23p light green23 Aug 1988  8 Nov 1988 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
24p violet28 Aug 1984   
24p terracotta26 Sep 1989  28 Nov 1989 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
24p rust10 Sep 1991  3 Dec 1991 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
25p lilac14 Jan 1981   
25p salmon pink 26 Oct 1993 7 Dec 1993 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
26p post office red27 Jan 1982  24 Feb 1982 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
26p stone4 Sep 1990  4 Dec 1990 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
26p rust 25 Jun 199623 Sep 199723 Jul 1996 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales[13][14]
26p gold 21 Apr 199721 Apr 1997 
27p rust23 Aug 1988   
27p mauve4 Sep 1990   
28p bluish violet30 Mar 1983  27 Apr 1983 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
28p sand23 Aug 1988   
28p slate blue10 Sep 1991  3 Dec 1991 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
29p yellow-brown27 Jan 1982   
29p purple26 Sep 1989   
29p light grey 26 Oct 1993  
30p sage green26 Sep 198927 Jul 199319977 Dec 1993 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
31p deep lilac30 Mar 1983  23 Oct 1984 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
31p ultramarine4 Sep 1990   
31p purple 25 Jun 199626 Aug 1997 
32p dark turquoise23 Aug 1988  8 Nov 1988 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
33p emerald green4 Sep 1990   
33p slate blue 25 Apr 2000  
34p yellow brown28 Aug 1984   
34p slate blue26 Sep 1989  28 Nov 1989 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
34p purple10 Sep 1991   
34p lime green 6 May 20036 May 2003 
35p dark brown23 Aug 19881 Apr 2004  
35p old gold10 Sep 199117 Aug 1993  
35p lime green 5 Apr 20055 Apr 2005 
36p ultramarine 26 Oct 1993  
37p red26 Sep 1989  4 Dec 1990 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
37p amethyst 25 Jun 199626 Aug 199723 Jul 1996 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales[15][16]
37p charcoal black 4 Jul 20024 Jul 2002 
37p olive green 28 Mar 200628 Mar 2006 
38p red 26 Oct 1993  
38p ultramarine 20 Apr 199920 Apr 19998 Jun 1999 Northern Ireland
39p amethyst10 Sep 1991  3 Dec 1991 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
39p shocking pink 25 Jun 19961997 
39p light grey 1 Apr 2004  
40p grey blue 25 Apr 200025 Apr 200025 Apr 2000 Northern Ireland
40p dark turquoise 1 Apr 20041 Apr 2004 
41p stone 26 Oct 1993 7 Dec 1993 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
41p red 25 Apr 200025 Apr 2000 
42p sage green 4 Jul 20024 Jul 2002 
43p dark brown 25 Jun 19961 Apr 1997 
43p emerald green 1 Apr 20041 Apr 2004 
44p stone 20 Apr 199920 Apr 1999 
44p ultramarine 28 Mar 200628 Mar 2006 
45p amethyst 25 Apr 200025 Apr 2000 
46p old gold 5 Apr 20055 Apr 2005 
47p sea green 4 Jul 20024 Jul 2002 
48p amethyst 27 Mar 200727 Mar 2007 
49p rust 28 Mar 200628 Mar 2006 
50p ochre2 Feb 1977   
50p sand13 Mar 199014 Dec 19931 Apr 1997 
50p light grey 27 Mar 200727 Mar 2007 
50p slate grey3 Jan 2013   
54p rust 27 Mar 200727 Mar 2007 
56p sage green 1 Apr 20081 Apr 2008 
60p slate blue 9 Aug 1994  
60p emerald green   
62p red 31 Mar 2009  
63p emerald green 25 Jun 199626 Aug 199723 Jul 1996 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales[17]
64p sea green 20 Apr 199920 Apr 19998 Jun 1999 Northern Ireland
65p dark turquoise 25 Apr 200025 Apr 200025 Apr 2000 Northern Ireland
68p stone 4 Jul 20024 Jul 2002 
72p red 28 Mar 200628 Mar 2006 
75p India black30 Jan 1980   
78p emerald green 27 Mar 200727 Mar 2007 
81p turquoise 1 Apr 20081 Apr 2008 
81p holly green26 Mar 2014   
87p orange25 Apr 2012   
88p shocking pink30 Mar 2010   
88p amber yellow27 Mar 2013   
90p ultramarine31 Mar 2009   
97p mauve31 Mar 2009   
97p purple heather26 Mar 2014   
£1 mauve 22 Aug 19951 Apr 1997 
£1 ruby 5 Jun 20075 Jun 2007 
£1 wood brown3 Jan 2013   
£1.05 gooseberry green22 Mar 2016   
£1.10 lime green29 Mar 2011   
£1.17 sunrise red21 Mar 2017   
£1.25 holly green20 Mar 2018   
£1.28 emerald green25 Apr 2012   
£1.33 amber yellow24 Mar 2015   
£1.35 orchid mauve19 Mar 2019   
£1.40 dark pine green12 Mar 2017   
£1.42 garnet red17 Mar 2020   
£1.45 dove grey26 Mar 2014   
£1.46 dark turquoise30 Mar 2010   
£1.47 dove grey26 Mar 2014   
£1.50 brownish red 9 Mar 1999  
£1.52 orchid mauve24 Mar 2015   
£1.55 marine turquoise20 Mar 2018   
£1.57 tarragon pine green21 Mar 2017   
£1.60 amber yellow21 Mar 2017   
£1.63 sunset red13 Mar 2020   
£1.65 sage green29 Mar 2011   
£1.68 tarragon green17 Mar 2020   
£1.70 marine turquoise23 Dec 2020   
£1.88 sapphire blue27 Mar 2013   
£1.90 amethyst25 Apr 2012   
£2 slate blue 9 Mar 1999  
£2.15 marine turquoise26 Mar 2014   
£2.25 plum purple24 Mar 2015   
£2.27 harvest gold21 Mar 2017   
£2.30 gooseberry green19 Mar 2019   
£2.42 purple heather17 Mar 2020   
£2.45 spruce green24 Mar 2015   
£2.55 garnet red21 Mar 2017   
£2.65 purple heather20 Mar 2018   
£2.80 spruce green19 Mar 2019   
£2.97 rose pink17 Mar 2020   
£3 dull purple 9 Mar 1999  
£3 purple3 Jul 2003   
£3.15 aqua green24 Mar 2015   
£3.25 aqua green23 Dec 2020   
£3.30 rose pink24 Mar 2015   
£3.45 dark pine green19 Mar 2019   
£3.60 bright orange19 Mar 2020   
£3.66 harvest gold17 Mar 2020   
£3.82 holly green17 Mar 2020   
£4.20 plum purple23 Dec 2020   
£5 brown 9 Mar 1999  
£5 grey blue 1 Jul 2003  

Large size (30 mm × 35 mm (1.2 in × 1.4 in))

Value and colourDate 1st issue
10p ceriseJun 17 1970
20p olive greenJun 17 1970
50p deep ultramarineJun 17 1970
£1 bluish blackJun 17 1970
£1 olive & greenish yellowFeb 2 1977
£1.30 buff & blue-greenAug 3 1983
£1.33 mauve & blue-blackAug 28 1984
£1.41 buff & blue-greenSep 17 1985
£1.50 blue-black & lilacSep 2 1986
£1.60 blue-black & buffSep 15 1987
£2 purple-brown and pale greenFeb 2 1977
£5 royal blue & pale pinkFeb 2 1977

NVI (non-value indicator) issues

NVI (or non-value indicator) Machins first appeared in 1989 in an attempt to negate the need to keep issuing new stamps after each postal rate change. They are marked 1st and 2nd for the two classes of post in the United Kingdom. The E NVI stamp represented the standard letter rate to Europe.

Small size (21 mm × 24 mm (0.83 in × 0.94 in))

Value and colourDate 1st issueElliptical perf.EME imageRegional issue
1st blackAug 22 1989   
1st flameAug 7 1990Apr 6 1993Apr 29 1997Feb 15 2000 Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
1st gold Apr 21 1997Apr 21 1997 
1st Millennium white Jan 6 2000Jan 6 2000 
1st gold (large value) Aug 1 2006Aug 1 2006 
2nd light blueAug 22 1989Apr 6 1993Apr 29 1997 
2nd dark blueAug 7 1990   
2nd light blue (large value) Aug 1 2006Aug 1 2006 
E dark blue Jan 19 1999Jan 19 1999 

Horizontal issues

Value and colourDate 1st issueElliptical perf.EME image
1st gold (large value) Aug 1 2006Aug 1 2006
2nd light blue (large value) Aug 1 2006Aug 1 2006

Large size (30 mm × 35 mm (1.2 in × 1.4 in))

Value and colourDate 1st issue
1st embossedFeb 16 1999
1st engravedFeb 16 1999
1st typographedFeb 16 1999

Penny Black anniversary issues

In 1990, the Royal Mail issued five stamps to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Penny Black. They featured the Machin image of Queen Elizabeth II overlaying the image of Queen Victoria from the Penny Black. An NVI issue was released in 2000.

Small size (21 mm × 24 mm (0.83 in × 0.94 in))

Value and colourDate 1st issue
15p light blueJan 10 1990
20p black & creamJan 10 1990
20p blackApr 17 1990
29p purpleJan 10 1990
34p slate blueJan 10 1990
37p redJan 10 1990
1st blackFeb 15 2000

Airmail issues

Small size (21 mm × 24 mm (0.83 in × 0.94 in))

Value & ColourDate 1st Issue
Airmail Europe up to 20g30 Mar 2003
Airmail Europe up to 40g27 Mar 2003
Airmail Worldwide up to 20g30 Mar 2003
Airmail Worldwide up to 40g27 Mar 2003
Airmail Postcard1 Apr 2004

Self-adhesive stamps

Since about 2009, virtually all Machins have been issued only as self-adhesive stamps. The primary exceptions have been stamps issued as part of Prestige Stamp Booklets or in souvenir sheets.

Barcoded series (2021–present)

Machin stamps with Data Matrix barcodes were introduced in two stages, on 1 February 2022 (non-value indicators), and 4 April 2022 (other values). All barcoded stamps are self-adhesive.

Existing definitive stamps issued from 15 February 1971 to 31 January 2022 remain valid until 31 January 2023: since 31 March 2022, they can be indefinitely exchanged for the barcoded series.[18]

The 2022 issue was the last release in the Machin series prior to the death of Elizabeth II. On 8 February 2023, the design for the new definitive series, to be released on 4 April 2023 and featuring a portrait of Charles III by Martin Jennings, was revealed.[19]

2021 barcoded trial

2022 barcoded trial[20]
Type Value Colour Size First issued
NVI 2ndLight blue 39 mm × 30 mm
(1.5 in × 1.2 in)		 23 March 2021

2022 barcoded issues

2022 barcoded series[21][22][23][24]
Type Value Colour Size First issued
NVI 1stPlum purple 39 mm × 30 mm
(1.5 in × 1.2 in)		 1 February 2022
2ndHolly green
NVI Large 1stMarine turquoise
2ndDark pine green
Low Value[lower-alpha 1] 1pSapphire blue on white 4 April 2022
2pDark green on white
5pPurple heather on white
10pAqua green on white
20pLight green on white
50pSlate grey on white
£1Wood brown on white
High Value[lower-alpha 1] £2Bright blue on white 4 April 2022
£3Purple on white
£5Spruce green on white
International £1.85Wood brown 4 April 2022
£2.55Sapphire blue
£3.25Purple
£4.20Light green

Notes

  1. 1 2 Royal Mail also refers to barcoded Low and High Value stamps as "Make up Value stamps".[25]

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 "Definitive [5 February 1968]". Collect GB Stamps. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Decimalisation at 50". The Postal Museum. London: Postal Heritage Trust. 15 February 2021. Archived from the original on 18 September 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 "Definitive [8 August 1967]". Collect GB Stamps. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 "Definitive [5 June 1967]". Collect GB Stamps. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Letter Rates 1968-2006". Great Britain Philatelic Society. London. Archived from the original on 14 February 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  6. 1 2 "Definitive [6 January 1967]". Collect GB Stamps. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 "Definitive [1 July 1968]". Collect GB Stamps. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  8. ↑ "Definitive [5 March 1969]". Collect GB Stamps. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  9. ↑ "High Value Definitives [5 March 1969]". Collect GB Stamps. Archived from the original on 3 July 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  10. ↑ "Know where your old stamps are?". Royal Mail. London: International Distributions Services. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  11. ↑ An EME version of the regionals was also issued on 1 Jul 1997.
  12. ↑ The EME version for Wales was printed without the 'p' suffix.
  13. ↑ An EME version of the regionals was also issued on 28 May 1997.
  14. ↑ The EME version for Wales was printed without the 'p' suffix.
  15. ↑ An EME version of the regionals was also issued on 1 Jul 1997.
  16. ↑ The EME version for Wales was printed without the 'p' suffix.
  17. ↑ An EME version for Wales, printed without the 'p' suffix, was also issued on 1 Jul 1997.
  18. ↑ "Reinventing stamps for the next generations". Royal Mail. London: Royal Mail Group Limited. Archived from the original on 8 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  19. ↑ Coughlan, Sean (8 February 2023). "King Charles unadorned new stamp design revealed". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  20. ↑ "Machin Definitive 2nd Class Barcoded Stamp". Collect GB Stamps. 23 March 2022. Archived from the original on 18 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  21. ↑ "Barcoded NVI Definitives". Collect GB Stamps. 1 February 2022. Archived from the original on 18 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  22. ↑ "Low Value Definitive". Collect GB Stamps. 4 April 2022. Archived from the original on 18 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  23. ↑ "High Value Definitive". Collect GB Stamps. 4 April 2022. Archived from the original on 18 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  24. ↑ "International Tariff Definitive". Collect GB Stamps. 4 April 2022. Archived from the original on 18 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  25. ↑ "Make up Values". Royal Mail. London: Royal Mail Group Limited. Archived from the original on 18 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
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